Gretchen Thompson of Hockessin, Delaware

Thompson, who married her college sweetheart in
2009, is a loving mother to, count ’em, seven children
who range in age from 12 to 18—four of her own and
three stepchildren, two of whom have autism. Thompson,
who runs a Pampered Chef business, says being a
mom is actually easier with seven children. “Once I
had my third, I figured we’re outnumbered anyway,”
she says. “Whether you make three peanut butter and
jelly sandwiches or seven, it’s not that big of a difference.”